Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
त्रिपुरदाहानन्तरं देवभयः ब्रह्मस्तुतिश्च — Fear of the Gods after Tripura’s Burning and Brahmā’s Praise
दृष्ट्वानीकं तदा भीतं देवानामृषिपुंगवाः । न किंचिदूचुस्संतस्थुः प्रणेमुस्ते समंततः
dṛṣṭvānīkaṃ tadā bhītaṃ devānāmṛṣipuṃgavāḥ | na kiṃcidūcussaṃtasthuḥ praṇemuste samaṃtataḥ
Seeing then the hosts of the gods struck with fear, those foremost of sages spoke nothing; they stood still and, from every side, bowed down in reverent homage.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga linkage; the verse depicts the contagion of awe—devas’ fear influences even great ṛṣis—illustrating how limited beings (paśu) respond when confronted with the Lord’s overwhelming manifestation.
Significance: Models proper comportment at a theophany: silence (mauna) and praṇāma. In pilgrimage settings, this maps to entering the sanctum with restraint and surrender rather than argument or display.
FAQs
It highlights a Shaiva ideal: when faced with overwhelming cosmic forces, the wise choose silence, steadiness, and praṇāma—recognizing that true refuge lies in surrender to the Supreme (Pati) rather than agitation or pride.
The act of praṇāma “from all sides” mirrors temple devotion—approaching the Lord’s presence (Saguna Shiva, often through the Liṅga) with humility. It reflects the devotional posture that allows grace to descend when the mind is overpowered by fear or conflict.
A practical takeaway is praṇāma with mental japa—bowing while repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating inner stillness (mauna) and surrender (śaraṇāgati) during distress.